STEENBERG WINS BEST OF WINE TOURISM AWARD AT GLOBAL GALA EVENT IN NEW ZEALAND

STEENBERG WINS BEST OF WINE TOURISM AWARD AT GLOBAL GALA EVENT IN NEW ZEALAND

Steenberg Vineyards, established in 1682, is one of the global winners of the Great Wine Capitals Best of Wine Tourism Awards. This was announced in Christchurch, New Zealand today (November 4) at a gala event attended by high-level members of the wine tourism industry from South Africa, Europe, North America, Latin America and New Zealand.

The farm, in the historic Constantia Valley, emerged as one of the competition’s top-line international winners, having won two of the seven categories in South Africa, namely architecture, parks and gardens, and wine tourism services.

In addition to the winery, Steenberg runs a fine-dining restaurant, a bistro, a five-star luxury hotel and conference centre and a championship golf course.


Amongst its offerings are terroir walks that highlight the farm’s unique wine-growing location and climatic conditions; the opportunity to taste wines still in the tank or barrel, and innovative food and wine pairing options.

Steenberg joins the other global winners of the nine participating countries, which saw 80% of entries coming from altogether new players this time. They are Yealands Estate in the South Island’s Marlborough region, New Zealand’s largest carbon-neutral certified winery that made international headlines for using miniature sheep to keep the vineyard’s grass and weeds in check; Villa Vignamaggio, one of the oldest wine estates in the heart of Chianti Classico between Florence and Siena, dating back to 15th century Renaissance times; the highly regarded Bordeaux Supérieur property in the Haut Medoc, Chateau Paloumey that regularly exhibits paintings and sculptures; the Wine Oil Spa Hotel Villa de Laguardia set in the vineyards in a medieval town in the heart of the Rioja; Porto’s Quinta Aveleda, a 300-year-old family-owned estate and one of Portugal’s leading producers; the luxurious Hyatt Regency on the banks of the Rhine in Mainz that integrates a 19th century building with 21st century architecture; Conn Creek Winery on the scenic Silverado Trail in Napa Valley that promotes the region’s Cabernet wines; and the Bodega Diam Andes, a member of the high-profile Clos de los Siete partnership of wineries in Mendoza, whose driving force is French winemaker Michel Rolland.

The nine will all carry the title as their countries’ Best of Wine Tourism winners for 2011. The international network of wine capitals, in addition to Cape Town/Cape Winelands, includes Bilbao-Rioja (Spain), Bordeaux (France), Florence (Italy), Mainz (Germany), Mendoza (Argentina), Porto (Portugal) and San Francisco-Napa (United States) and most recently, New Zealand’s Christchurch.

Last year’s global winner from South Africa, Rust en Vrede, which was then also ranked one of the two best restaurants across the network, has this time won the local restaurant category. The restaurant, which also features in the 2010 San Pellegrino World’s Top 100 Best Restaurants worldwide, is run by chef David Higgs and sommelier Neil Grant.

Other winners from South Africa were Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa, situated on the Helshoogte Mountain Pass, for offering the best accommodation; Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate in Franschhoek (arts and culture); Warwick Estate on the Simonsberg (innovative wine tourism experiences) and Waverley Hills, between Tulbagh and Wolseley (sustainable wine tourism practices).

Clarence Johnson, deputy mayor of the Winelands District Municipality and immediate past president of the Great Wine Capitals organisation, said the South African judges had been impressed by the ongoing rise in standards in local offerings.


“Western Cape wine tourism practitioners can stand proud alongside their international competitors. They do not take for granted the competitive advantage of being located in what must rank as amongst the most beautiful winelands anywhere in the world, nor that most of our wine regions are within easy reach of one another, as well as being close to Cape Town.

“They have recognised that we still are a long-haul destination for many international tourists. That makes us keep on trying harder. It’s evident in the constant innovation amongst producers, as well as the progress from year to year in the already excellent standard of our wine experiences.”

“The recognition of our best wine tourism offerings also adds to the critical acclaim received since the FIFA World Cup.”

Note to the editor

The Cape Town/Cape Winelands winners representing South Africa are:
Wine tourism services Winner: Steenberg Vineyards (International)
Architecture, parks and gardens Winner: Steenberg Vineyards

Tel: +27 21 713 2211
Fax: +27 21 713 2201
Steenberg Vineyards, Steenberg Road, Constantia 7945, South Africa
www.steenberg-vineyards.co.za

The property comprises a winery, wine tasting facility and offers cellar door sales, restaurant and Steenberg Hotel. The buildings on the property were designed by Richard Perfect Architects.

Wine tourism restaurant Winner: Rust en Vrede Restaurant

Tel: +27 21 881 3757
Fax: +27 21 881 3000
Annandale Road, Stellenbosch
www.rustenvrede.com

Located in what was once the barrel cellar and is now a national monument, its kitchen is in full view of the dining room. Chef David Higgs and sommelier Neil Grant create an experience that has brought the restaurant several key international awards.

Accommodation Winner: Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa


Tel: +27 21 885 8160
Fax: +27 21 885 1270
Helshoogte, Stellenbosch, 7602
www.delaire.co.za

Situated on the crest of the Helshoogte Mountain Pass linking Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, the estate has one of the leading boutique hotels in the region. It offers luxury accommodation and exhibits a collection of South African art.

Art and culture Winner: Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate


Tel: +27 21 876 8600
Fax: +27 21 876 8601
Main Road, Franschhoek, 7690
www.grandeprovence.co.za

Located in the heart of the picturesque Franschhoek Valley, the estate’s gallery is a leading  location for contemporary South African art.

Innovative wine tourism experiences Winner: Warwick Estate


Tel: +27 21 884 4410
Fax: +27 21 884 4025
R44 between Stellenbosch and Klapmuts
www.warwickwine.com

A family-owned winery, Warwick offers the Big Five Wine Safari™ through the vineyards, as well as, tasting/cellar tours with educated and knowledgeable staff, Gourmet Picnics™ with ingredients that are sourced locally and packaging that is environmentally friendly.

Sustainable wine tourism practices Winner: Waverley Hills



Tel: +27 23 231 0002
Fax: +27 23 231 0004
Off the R46 between Tulbagh and Wolseley
www.waverleyhills.co.za

Waverley Hills offers a unique and organic experience where one can learn more about organic farming and the natural fauna and flora that surrounds the estate. It is the first organic wine producer to achieve the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative Champion status. It also runs a fynbos nursery and sells organic wine and olive products in the tasting room.

DATE ISSUED NOVEMBER 4, 2010
ISSUED BY DKC (DE KOCK COMMUNICATIONS) FOR WOSA
ON BEHALF OF WINES OF SOUTH AFRICA (WOSA) ACTING FOR GREAT WINE CAPITALS GLOBAL NETWORK
QUERIES ANDRÉ MORGENTHAL, WOSA, 082 658 3883
TESSA DE KOCK/MARLISE POTGIETER, DKC (021) 422 2690

Kind regards

Marlise Potgieter
De Kock Communications (DKC)
Tel: +27 21 422 2690
Fax/Faks: +27 86 610 5388
Cell/Sel: +27 72 562 5307
E-mail/E-pos: marlise@dkc.co.za